Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hinted at a potential return to management in the future, claiming that he misses being in the environment in a managerial sense. The Frenchman left behind an almighty legacy with the Gunners, not dipping back into management since he left in 2018.
The 72-year-old was appointed as manager in 1996, moving from Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan, where he impressed. The Premier League stage with Arsenal would be where he really made his name though.
Wenger won 17 trophies in his time at the club, winning three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups and seven Community Shields. The most impressive of feats also came in one of the league winning seasons, where his side managed to go a whole campaign without losing, earning the title of 'The Invincibles'.
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Players such as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Freddie Ljungberg, Robert Pires and Jens Lehmann were just a few to name from the side that went down in history. Wenger discussed the achievement in his documentary, Arsene Wenger: Invincible, that came out last year.
He said: “Invincible is linked with a mental resilience, it is something deeper, a refusal of defeat at any cost. Don't give in, ever." The managing icon then left in 2018, with an emotional reception at the Emirates as he bowed out of the grand stage. He has since been FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, but admitted he misses being a manager.
Speaking to BEIN Sports recently, he said: "You know, I can contribute in a different way. I still miss it. I still miss the intensity. So, overall, I’m still vulnerable…
"It’s caring about the beautiful game, the values that we cherish, and also this thing we have in our bodies, in each cell of our bodies. We care, we worry, we are desperate, but when you come here, this theatre of dreams, we realise what it means."
It remains to be seen exactly what circumstances or job opening could open the return for Wenger, but it would surely be one that the footballing world would welcome.
